Longer-term effects of modernized collaborative care for depression on multiple mental health factors (eIMPACT): A...

Integrating digital mental health into collaborative care could address multiple mental health factors. To determine the longer-term effects of modernized collaborative care for depression on overlapping mental health factors, we analyzed data from the eIMPACT trial.

Primary care patients with depression and elevated cardiovascular disease risk (N = 216, Mage: 59 years, 78 % female, 50 % Black, 46 % with income <$10,000/year) were randomized to 12 months of the eIMPACT intervention (modernized collaborative care involving internet cognitive-behavioral therapy [iCBT], telephonic CBT, and/or select antidepressants) or usual primary care for depression. Depressive symptoms (Hopkins Symptom Checklist-20 [SCL-20] and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]), hostility/anger/aggression (Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire [BPAQ]), and trait positive affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Positive Affect Subscale [PANAS-PA]) were measured at 0, 6, 12, and 24 months.

Compared to the usual care group, the intervention group exhibited significant improvements across all outcomes. The intervention group advantage increased over the treatment period, peaked at post-treatment (12 months: SCL-20 d_adj = -0.57, PHQ-9 d_adj = -0.63, GAD-7 d_adj = -0.50, BPAQ d_adj = -0.17, PANAS-PA d_adj = 0.41), and decreased over the follow-up period (24 months: SCL-20 d_adj = -0.24, PHQ-9 d_adj = -0.29, GAD-7 d_adj = -0.20, BPAQ d_adj = 0.06, PANAS-PA d_adj = 0.17).

Modernized collaborative care improved multiple mental health factors, highlighting the feasibility and longer-term benefits of blending collaborative care and digital mental health across racial, education, and income groups. Future implementation of such interventions could promote equitable access to high-quality care.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02458690.